New Magpie BA Is Sold on Ambition; Demba BA Delighted to Join Magpies

New Magpie BA Is Sold on Ambition; Demba BA Delighted to Join Magpies

Article excerpt

DEMBA Ba signed for Newcastle United because he was impressed by the club's ambition and thrilled by the prospect of playing for such a famous club.

Ba completed the paperwork on a three-year contract last night after medical concerns about his knee were overcome and he quickly sung from a familiar new signing hymn sheet.

But the Senegal international, who arrives on a free transfer from relegated West Ham, also argued he had been told enough about the club's future plans to believe Newcastle are not going to be content with mid-table Premier League finishes.

It was this ambition and the fact the club have a clear idea about how to realise it that persuaded Ba to snub a move to Everton to link up with Alan Pardew's side.

"When I spoke to the manager, I was happy with the ambition Newcastle are showing," said Ba, who becomes the club's second signing of the summer following the arrival of Yohan Cabaye from Lille.

"We talked and they spoke about where they want this club to be, the players they want to sign and I was pleased to hear that they want the same things I want to achieve.

"I'm going to do my best to help the club get there.

"Coming up here, having a look around, I can't wait for the season to start now. "I'm really happy to have got it done so quickly and I'm really looking forward to playing for Newcastle United now.

"There was interest from other clubs, but I just wanted to come here. Newcastle have a great team and I believe it's going to be even better next season." Although fans are still feeling a little bruised by the sale of skipper Kevin Nolan to West Ham and the ongoing problems trying to get Joey Barton and Jose Enrique to sign new contracts, the arrival of Ba is a reminder of the club's pulling power at home and abroad. The Journal revealed this week that United are also closing in on Paris Saint Germain's Turkish striker Mevlut Erdinc and Swansea full-back Neil Taylor, and the Magpies will hope to complete both deals before the end of the month. In rejecting a new contract to stay at West Ham, Ba revealed the prospect of playing for a club which is well known in his home country was a big factor in getting him to move to Tyneside . …